criminalism

noun

crim·​i·​nal·​ism

ˈkrimənᵊlˌizəm,

-mnəˌli-

plural -s

: the tendency to criminality

also : habitual criminality

Word History

Etymology

probably from French criminalisme, from Late Latin criminalis criminal + French -isme -ism

First Known Use

1866, in the meaning defined above

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